Working at play: Many hands make light work building Gonic School playground

Monday

Nov 19, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Kenny DobrovSpecial to the Democrat

ROCHESTER — Whoever said hard work pays off should look to the teachers, parents and community members who helped construct the new playground at the Gonic School.

Started by Rochester School Board member Matt Pappas and Principal Gwen Rhodes, the Gonic School PTA Playground Committee saw its first phase come to completion on Saturday.

“Things are looking really good,” Pappas said. “The weather has been fantastic. You couldn't ask for a better day.”

As construction began at 8 a.m. more than 40 volunteers made up of parents, teachers, and community members came together to work on the playground. Members from the city police and fire departments also helped with the construction.

“A lot of the parents are tradesmen so it helps move things quicker,” Pappas said. “That or they follow directions well.”

Pappas said almost immediately all of the pieces were assembled. The largest piece of the updated playground includes three slides, lily pad steps, a climbing wall, and monkey bars.

Pappas said the previous playground and swings only held about 15 to 20 children a time while this first piece will more than triple that amount.

Heather Young, a Gonic PTA member, agreed that a lot of progress was made and it looked like it would be completed that day.

“It was great to see all the people today,” Young said.

Pappas said they had a steady number of volunteers throughout the day. He said this is one of those events where the community comes out to support each other.

Phase two of the playground will involve fixing the drainage in the area next to the first piece. Rhodes said after they fix the mud bowl that destroys land in the spring they will order more play structures to add to the playground

In addition they will add some grass for the students to play on.

For phase three the plan is adding an obstacle course structure along with a new set of swings.

“This is truly a 'barn raising' activity,” Pappas said.

He anticipated construction on all phases would be completed in two to three years. At this point the committee has raised $47,000 of its $85,000 goal over the last three years.

Various forms of assistance and donations have been provided to the Gonic School Playground Committee from the community and local businesses. The committee has also done a number of fundraisers along with two 5K races to raise money.

Anticipation for the playground is strong among the students, according to Rhodes.

“The kids are going to be wide-eyed when they come out and see it,” Rhodes said. “Their jaws will drop. They'll be so excited.”

Before the individual pieces were brought outside for construction they were stored inside the gymnasium. Pappas said many of the students saw them this past week and were thrilled to know they were getting a new playground.

“The kids have already seen it,” Pappas said. “They're really excited to come in on Monday.”

Young, whose daughter goes to Gonic School, said her daughter asked her to take pictures of the playground.

“There wasn't that much around here before,” Young said. “This will definitely increase the activity level.”

Rhodes added before the kids get too wild they are holding a meeting with them addressing the playground expectations for safety purposes.

Work on the first addition to the playground will officially be completed today when the maintenance crew will help spread playground mulch.

Rhodes said she had high hopes for all phases to be completed after witnessing the first phase completed with its construction.

“Seeing this piece come together will inspire us to get to the next phase,” Rhodes said.